“I’ve found that when dating guys around my age, they’re not at the same place career and goal-wise and it’s harder to relate to them,” she continued. “Personally, I’d describe myself as an ambitious person, having worked in media since I was in university and have known for years what I want to do in life.”

While being independent or successful or ambitious shouldn’t be considered turnoffs, some, like Baker, find it holds them back when they try to date.

Are people scared of success?

Dr. Mariyam Ahmed, a psychologist based in Toronto, told Global News one thing to consider when it comes to dating “successful people” — whatever your definition of success is — is how much this person is dedicated to their success.

“A concern people often have when they are with someone successful is that the successful person might be too focused on themselves or set in their ways,” she told Global News.

She added that others fear their needs may not be met or whether they are even considered a priority in a successful person’s life. “But it doesn’t have to be this way… success doesn’t need to be linked to a downfall of a relationship.”

Baker said she doesn’t find herself insecure about being more successful than the person she is dating, but she does have a fear of not being successful at all.

“I like to surround myself with people who have that same mindset. I don’t care if a guy isn’t where he’s at yet career-wise, but I do care if they aren’t ambitious at all… and my odds for that are just better with older men.”

Ahmed said it comes down to self-reflection and if you feel insecure in your relationship due to success, you need to be able to communicate this with your partner. “We’re quick to criticize or blame the other person, but we don’t take a moment to reflect what the moment is like for us.”

And if at the end of the day, your partner isn’t willing to listen or help you overcome some of these insecurities, it may be time to move on.

“This was not the right match for either partner and it is important not to internalize that, especially early on in the relationship.”